deism

[ dee-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. belief in the existence of a God on the evidence of reason and nature only, with rejection of supernatural revelation ( theism ).
2. belief in a God who created the world but has since remained indifferent to it.

deism

/ ˈdiːɪzəm; ˈdeɪ- /

noun

1. See theism
   belief in the existence of God based solely on natural reason, without reference to revelation Compare theism

deism

1. The belief that God has created the universe but remains apart from it and permits his creation to administer itself through natural laws. Deism thus rejects the supernatural aspects of religion, such as belief in revelation in the Bible (see also Bible ), and stresses the importance of ethical conduct. In the eighteenth century, numerous important thinkers held deist beliefs. ( See clockwork universe .)

Derived Forms

• deˈistically, adverb
• deˈistic, adjective
• ˈdeist, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deism¹

1675–85; < French déisme < Latin de ( us ) god + French -isme -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of deism¹

C17: from French déisme, from Latin deus god

Example Sentences

Indeed, just last week, a cluster of polls showed that deism is on the upswing in America.

From The Daily Beast

Deism is the belief in a supreme being who is a creator who does not intervene in the universe.

From The Daily Beast

It is a contest in which opinions may vary in all degrees, from pure Deism to utter Ultramontanism.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Mitchell was nominally a Unitarian in his religious creed, but he held very lax notions of this theology, and verged to Deism.

From Project Gutenberg

Deism is a "sordid" creed, which relegates God to heaven and ignores his ever-operating life in creation.

From Project Gutenberg

The God, who serves as the foundation of natural religion, or deism, is himself the greatest of mysteries.

From Project Gutenberg

But already in high society in Germany the wind no longer set in the direction of pure Deism.

From Project Gutenberg